What is a control group and an experimental group?

Question

On my science study guide, we have to "define each part of the Scientific Method". I am on the 'Test the Hypothesis' step, and I forgot my book in my locker.

Can you please tell me what a control group and/or an experimental group is?

:)

Answer 1

For the emperimental group, you'd be changing the items you experiment on to try and prove your hypothesis, that the experimental group is better than the control group.

The control, would be not changing them, leaving them normal to see if the changed ones perform better.

Answer 2

In an experiment, the "control group" would be the group you use as a parameter, the one you count as "normal" and gives you a reference of what happens when you are not using whatever you are experimenting.

The "experimental group" would be the one you submit changes to and shows you how something or someone reacts to whatever you are testing.

For example, if your experiment is to see how the heart beats change after receiving a certain medication, your "control group" would be those that don't take that medicine; your "experimental group" would be the ones who do and experiment changes because of the medicine.